What to look for

[Sean_Morgan]

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen
My name is Sean, a 50 year old born again biker, and after passing my test in December last year ive been riding around on a 2000 GS500. I've decided that it's time to move onto something a little newer and bigger.
I'm looking at the sv650s something around 2007, there seems to be plenty of choice out there so my question is ..... what, if anything, (other than general condition) do I need to look out for.
I do prefer the look of the fully faired bike, if my option comes down to a half fairing are the aftermarket lower side panels any good ??
Do they handle mileage well or do I hold out for a lower mileage bike.
There seems to be a few about at around the age I'm looking at about 2000-2500, seems like a reasonable price to me, is that what I should be expecting to pay.
Thanks for reading
Thanks in advance for any input
Thanks for letting me join the forum
I'm off for a look around and a read of a few old posts.
Sean

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[admin]

Welcome to the forum Sean. From my experience the mk1 (curvey) had some issues with wiring shorts on the sub frame where the loom rubs on some bolts. I never had any issues with my mk2 (pointy) just general corrosion on fittings and fixtures. Fairing lowers can hide a whole load of issues with corrosion. Both my SV's, mk1&2 were the S faired versions as I like some wind protection however both are heavy on the wrists especially riding in traffic.
I'd like another SV but I'd go for a naked one and fit a bikini style fairing as my joints can't take the crouched riding position anymore.
As with any secondhand bike, there are good and bad. Look for a service history. Does the bike look cared for . Does the milage match the condition. Is it straight, both wheels in line, could there be crash damage. Any finance owing?
Hth, I'm sure others will add to my comments.
John

[Sean_Morgan]

Thanks for your reply John and thanks for clearing up the subject of curvy and pointy, I've been having a read of a few posts and wondered what that particular terminology referred to [emoji848]
I'll bare your points in mind while I'm searching
Sean

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[Red Herring]

SV's tend to fall into two categories, they are either a first or second bike for someone a bit like yourself who is new to riding and taking sensible steps up the ladder, or they belong to a somewhat steadier rider who tends to keep it for quite a while and not do huge mileage. There are exceptions to both of course, but if you think along those lines.......

The first bikes may have had a lot of owners as they change hands regularly, had numerous mods done to them because it's something we all love to do to a bike when we get it, and because people have been learning on them they can have a few scars and suffered some marginal maintenance..... There are lots of these about.

The second lot tend to be lower mileage, better looked after, and may have only had one or two owners. They are harder to find and tend to be more expensive, but may cost you less in the long run......

Personally I would look for the later unless you're confident about your bikes and can spot the lemons so read the advert well, ask how long they have had it, what have they used it for, where have they been on it...... There is usually a reason a bike has changed hands three times in a year!

[Red Herring]

Forgot to ask, where are you Sean?

[Sean_Morgan]

Thank you for that Red Herring
I'm not in a huge rush, I already have 2 wheels and it's not like we're getting out for pleasure rides at the moment, I'll bide my time and wait for a "right" bike.
I'm in Newark on Trent

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[Sean_Morgan]

Here's my current bike, how it turned up at my house and how it looks now. The paint job wouldn't stand up to close scrutiny, it was only a rattle can job, but it's a 20 year old bike and it was only £450https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200418/1e00ca635fe23de94adb8b483530b3c0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200418/0e8092542c9d104a28624f6fc13878b6.jpg

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[Dave20046]

SV650's are excellent bikes, lively and handle well and are really reliable. They do deal with mileage well, there are reports of them going over £100k. I'd be keen to buy one that has been garaged and kept greased, they can corrode and the fixings can be a pain to get out if they've been let go. It saves every job being a pain in the ass.

If you can get one that someone has done the suspension on (properly!) already you'll find it better value than inevitably doing it yourself

[zsv650s]

Grab yourself the thou much better bike just as easy to ride with a bit more poke when you need it.

[garynortheast]

Welcome along Sean.

I can vouch for the all round ability, sturdiness, longevity, and reliability of the sv650. I have the SV650s from 2000 (curvy model). I bought it in 2010 with 19500 miles on the clock and it now has 94000 miles on it. It has enough poke in it to get me into and out of trouble, has given me almost no trouble, and certainly nothing major. I use it for scratching, commuting, touring, and back lane bimbling. It has taken me 500 miles in a day with no problem.

Hugely underrated bikes by many people who see them as no more than a step up to something more powerful after passing their test. You need to own and ride one for a good few years to fully appreciate just what a cracking bike they are. And that absolute peach of an engine!

I’ve ridden mine for ten years now and it still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

[Sean_Morgan]

Grab yourself the thou much better bike just as easy to ride with a bit more poke when you need it.I'll be honest mate, I'm not sure if I'm ready for that big a leap just yet, I've only been riding "proper" bikes since December, that's why I was thinking the 650 would be the next logical step, I'm guessing there's going to be a decent difference between the 650 and my gs500 anyway ?

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[Sean_Morgan]

Thanks for your input Gary. At 94k I'd say that you have confirmed that the sv can handle mileage !
Is there a general preference between the carb and efi models ??

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[zsv650s]

Yeah the 650 will be a big step up from the gs500 if you can find a thou at a dealership and can have a go you may be surprised how easy to ride they are.

[Sean_Morgan]

Yeah the 650 will be a big step up from the gs500 if you can find a thou at a dealership and can have a go you may be surprised how easy to ride they are.I did have a look after your first post, there is one at the superbike factory, not too far from me, they have a couple of 650's to.
Looks like everywhere is closed down at the moment due to the current situation

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[zsv650s]

I did have a look after your first post, there is one at the superbike factory, not too far from me, they have a couple of 650's to.
Looks like everywhere is closed down at the moment due to the current situation

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Probably be at least middle of May start of June before you can do any test rides again tbf I know my local bike shop is delivering and picking up only helps if you know what you want.

[daktulos]

Is there a general preference between the carb and efi models ??

If I were you, I'd be looking at a pointy as the curvies are a little old now - particularly if you go near London with the ULEZ extension.

However, you won't find anyone who doesn't agree that the curvies are prettier! ;-)

[garynortheast]

Curvy are absolutely the nicest looking. A friend of mine described them as being designed during Suzuki’s 1960s bubblegum phase!

Agreed Daktulos, Curvys are now pretty old, but I always have felt they are, as carbed bikes, simpler to look after and better suited to starting out on home mechanics than the pointy.

And did I mention the are better looking too.

And the blue ones are fastest.

:-D

[pedro3178]

Had my SV650s for almost 3 years now. She’s a 2001 model. Like many I didn’t want to be stupid and go for something way too powerful for my riding experience and get myself or potentially someone else seriously hurt. The 650 is by no means slow! My bike was well looked after and always garaged before my purchase but I did my homework and I felt comfortable that I could take this bike to bits ( which I have ) if needed . They are fantastic to work on if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, no fancy electronics to be concerned about. I have to be honest and say I just can’t see myself getting rid anytime soon, she’s just too much fun! And the most important part to me is I feel extremely safe riding her and have so much fun! They may be getting on now but I have had no trouble at all getting parts for my bike. I would recommend them highly to anyone!

[Sean_Morgan]

Thanks for all the input folks [emoji106]

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[Craig380]

I did have a look after your first post, there is one at the superbike factory, not too far from me, they have a couple of 650's to.


Personally, I would be very wary of buying from the Superbike Factory. I live near Macclesfield and have looked at a few bikes there.

Some were good honest bikes, but some were very moody indeed, with missing history, mileages that didn't tally etc. Also the staff I dealt with are completely ignorant about bikes in general. It's basically a supermarket for used bikes - they buy in bulk and aim to flog them quickly.

If you know exactly what to look for on the bike you want, you'll be fine but from what I've seen, you could get a lemon if you're not careful.

[Sean_Morgan]

Thanks for the heads up Craig [emoji106]

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[shiftin_gear98]

Hello Sean,

Happy shopping, but please please don't buy a fugly curvy.

[Dave20046]

I'll be honest mate, I'm not sure if I'm ready for that big a leap just yet, I've only been riding "proper" bikes since December, that's why I was thinking the 650 would be the next logical step, I'm guessing there's going to be a decent difference between the 650 and my gs500 anyway ?

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Unless you see an absolute bargain on a sv1000 (they do come up) I'd go for a 650, they are plenty of bike. I prefer the EFI both in looks and power delivery. I also think they are marginally more dependable (though it's a fair argument, when something goes wrong with EFI it will be harder to fix than carbs...but far less frequent imo) and of course newer.

In terms of power I've gone flat out next to a Ducati 748, CBR (think it was the thou) and Tuono, the SV pretty much kept pace up to 80mph then distance started mounting, over 100mph the CBR and tuono were specks. It's more than enough power up to licence threatening territory and is a great light bike for handling.

[garynortheast]

Hello Sean,

Happy shopping, but please please don't buy a fugly curvy.

Haha! Cheeky bugger Martin!

[zsv650s]

All jokes aside you can get a late very very low mileage Gladius for the low 2k mark maybe worth a look same sv engine.

[shiftin_gear98]

Mods please remove the above comment. It's highly offensive. Gladius indeed. :(

[zsv650s]

Mods please remove the above comment. It's highly offensive. Gladius indeed. :(

It's just a melted sv no need to be proud about it if you want bang for buck you can't lose.

[zsv650s]

I spotted an 09 abs model with just over 4k on the odo for £2299 from a dealer you couldn't get a pointy that cheap with those miles.

[R1ffR4ff]

My criteria when I bought my Curvy was that it was in original well kept livery and from a dealer and that it had been HPI checked. It' a good Rule-Of-Thumb that if a machine has been well kept cosmetically then the POs have taken pride in the machine then most likely they kept up a decent servicing regime.

I paid £1595 for my 1999 SV650 in 2017 and have not been disappointed in my purchase :)




https://i.imgur.com/UmiMROc.jpg

[aj76]

Welcome along Sean [emoji3]

Similar to you came late to finally getting my licence sorted and got an SV for my first bike almost 4 years ago now. I managed to negotiate from a dealer a 3 owner 650 fully faired k6 with 13K on the clock for £2400 and had them fit new chain and sprockets and tyres as well as service it before delivery.

Just a few points that I haven't spotted in the thread so far 2007 was a slight model change they introduced the twin spark engine with 2 plugs per cylinder to combat the sv325 where drain hole were blocked due mostly to poor maintenance and water stayed on the front plug and the bike started to run only one cyclinder. There are a lot of late registered k6s like mine out there. Simple solution with a fender extender, though most have one fitted already, and shoving the straw off a can of wd40 in the drain holes when cleaning the chain.

With regard to lower fairings there tends to be a bit of problem finding fitting kits unless your buying brand new from supplier with one included.

I love my SV and plan on keeping hold of it, very different bike to the parallel twins and inline 4s and surprises a lot of people.


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[Biker Biggles]

I expect that you will be able to get a very nice example for a lot less money than the prices quoted. With the looming economic problems I think £2000 will be able to buy a sub five year old bike in the next few months.

[Sean_Morgan]

There's a good chance that this might be coming to live with me [emoji50][emoji50]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200422/c2f4b24f0a6d10bd00835439fbbc7fa8.jpg

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[Dave20046]

There's a good chance that this might be coming to live with me [emoji50][emoji50]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200422/c2f4b24f0a6d10bd00835439fbbc7fa8.jpg

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2003

Best colour and unique ride height :smt109

[SV650rules]

It's just a melted sv no need to be proud about it if you want bang for buck you can't lose.

I agree, the Gladius pretty much the same EFI twin spark engine as the later L7 ( 2016 ) and later ( IIRC it also has the Suzuki SCEM ceramic cylinder lining = nickel phosphorus-silicon-carbide ). Apart from the quirky styling nothing wrong with a Gladius as a naked bike, styling is not that bad actually and as zsv650s says, you may well grab a bargain.

[DarrenSV650S]

That looks very clean for a K3! I had that exact model and colour but it was fully faired. Is it low mileage?

[Sean_Morgan]

That looks very clean for a K3! I had that exact model and colour but it was fully faired. Is it low mileage?It's got 35k on the clock but comes with a full service history. It certainly looks like it's been cared for, and thanks for the bit of info on which model it is [emoji106]

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[R1ffR4ff]

Looks nice and a well maintained SV650 can easily do well over 100k and more on the original engine :)

PS

Never,"Wheelie" this style of V-Twin engine as they are not designed for it ;-)

First best mod IMHO is to get a,"Fender Extender" on the front guard. Keeps a lot of road crud off the engine.

[Sean_Morgan]

Thanks for the tip on the fender extender, I'll get one ordered [emoji106]

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[ChrisCurvyS]

Hi Sean - if you mean the superbike factory in Macclesfield just a word of caution, they tend to price their bikes competitively but I've heard a fair few accounts of people having to take bikes back with issues which would suggest they rush them through the workshop.

Just worth being aware of - hope you find the right bike.

[Sean_Morgan]

Hi Sean - if you mean the superbike factory in Macclesfield just a word of caution, they tend to price their bikes competitively but I've heard a fair few accounts of people having to take bikes back with issues which would suggest they rush them through the workshop.



Just worth being aware of - hope you find the right bike.Initially I was looking at the superbike factory but ended up going with K H Motorcycles in Market Harborough,I got a very well cared for 2003, full service history and a wallet full of old mot certificates and receipts [emoji106]

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[Sean_Morgan]

2003



Best colour and unique ride height :smt109Sorry Dave I've been meaning to ask for ages, I'm new to the world of SV's.

Unique ride height ? Is there something specific about the 2003 model ?

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[Dave20046]

Sorry Dave I've been meaning to ask for ages, I'm new to the world of SV's.

Unique ride height ? Is there something specific about the 2003 model ?

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Yeah, the rear subframe is higher on the k3 only, they lowered it again for k4. I don't think it affects the handling, it's purely a longer subframe rather than jacked up but I prefer the lines and marginally better for my longer legs.

You can see it when they're side by side. Think it also has a unique side stand loop and a few other quirks they revised.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Sounds good - enjoy it! Great bikes - I'm returning to them after a 1000cc sportsbike which had speed but not the same fun factor.

[Dave20046]

Oh and of course they only did the silver paint option on K3's . 650 atleast, they may have continued it for the 1000s, you seem to see a lot of silver thous.

[Sean_Morgan]

Yeah, the rear subframe is higher on the k3 only, they lowered it again for k4. I don't think it affects the handling, it's purely a longer subframe rather than jacked up but I prefer the lines and marginally better for my longer legs.

You can see it when they're side by side. Think it also has a unique side stand loop and a few other quirks they revised.Ive nothing to compare it with, but at 5'10" I find myself very comfortable riding it and not sat bent legged when I'm stationary, unlike the ER5 I had previously. I found that quite low.
I do like the loop on the side stand, it makes it very easy to find [emoji106]

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[Sean_Morgan]

Sounds good - enjoy it! Great bikes - I'm returning to them after a 1000cc sportsbike which had speed but not the same fun factor.Ive only got 125's and an ER5 to use in comparison, so it's the biggest and fastest bike ive ridden, it certainly puts a smile on my face

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